Manually adjustable electro-mechanical predetermined register control mechanism



Aug. 29, 1961 w. H. DURAND 2,998,189

MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL PREIDETERMINED REGISTER CONTROL MECHANISM Filed April 8, 1958 INVENTOR. Mz/AM HflZ/RAND This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Serial No. 623,072, filed November 19, 1956 (Patent No. 2,900,133).

The invention relates generally to a mechanically operated electrical control adapted'to be used in conjunction with computing registers, and more particularly to a novel device of this type adapted to be used for regulating the dispensing flow of a power-operated gasoline pump.

Motor driven gasoline pumps, and similar continuous flow dispensing devices, have in the past required careful manual control to eiiect shut-off when a variable predetermined quantity of fluid has been dispensed. For example, in the practical operation of a gasoline pump, an attendant must manually control a discharge valve in order to dispense a desired number of gallons of gasoline, or a desired dollar amount of gasoline. matic shut-off devices have been suggested for effecting automatic shut-off of dispensing flow when a full charge of gasoline has been dispensed, simple and reliable control mechanism enabling selective automatic dispensing of lesser amounts of gasoline have not been achieved.

It is, therefore, one of the objects of this invention to provide novel, simple and reliable means for actuation of signal device to break the pump-motor circuit or to actuate a solenoid-operated discharge valve or a power-operated dispensing apparatus, or to perform some other useful function such as operating visual or audible signals, in response to the indication by a cooperating computing register of a predetermined amount of dispensed fluid.

Another object is to provide a mechanically operated electrical control with novel selectively adjustable switch actuating means positioned for actuation by a computing register.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and reliable control mechanism for effecting adjusted positioning of switch control means relative to a computing register by means of a readily accessible manually operable control.

Another object is to provide a manually adjusted switch control means with a novel adjustable switch engaging member.

Another object is to provide a rugged, efficient switch control assembly which is easy to adjust, inexpensive to construct and install, reliable in use and accurate in its operation.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination with the various parts of an electrical control for computing registers, whereby the objects contemplated are obtained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, removed and in section, to show details of construction of an electrical control for a computing register constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and I FIGURE 2 is a more or less diagrammatic view, in side elevation, and partly broken away, of the control switch housing and computing register, showing the adjustable control means in one position of adjustment; and

Although auto atent C FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing the control means in switch actuating position; and

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing the control means in inelfective position.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of another form of adjustable control means.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly to FIGURE 1, the control mechanism includes a switch assembly, generally indicated at 10, and a computing register, generally indicated at 12, disposed closely adjacent to the assembly 10. The register 12 may be of the type commonly used with conventional poweroperated gasoline dispensers, and it will be understood that the register is exempletive of any movable indicia arrangement operated in response to a rate or quantity of dispensing flow.

The switch assembly 10 comprises a generally hollow housing 14, which may be of explosion-proof construction, if desired. A switch unit 16 (FIG. 2) is mounted within the housing 14 and carries a trip element 18. An actuating plunger Ztl, normally urged downwardly by a leaf spring 22, is mounted below the trip element 18 for reciprocal movement through a supporting boss 24 formed on the housing. The housing carries a bearing block 26, preferably integral therewith, in which is pivotaliy mounted, as at 28, one end of a lever arm 36 which extends beneath the plunger 20 and a substantial distance forwardly beyond said plunger. The lever arm 30 has, slidably mounted thereon, a stepped contact block 32 adapted for adjustment therealong, in a manner to be described presently, so as to be selectively positioned for contacting engagement with the actuating plunger 2%.

The housing 1*4 preferably is removably and fixedly mounted on the frame of the computer mechanism preferably by means of a supporting arm 34 which may be rigidly secured in any approved manner to a plate or other stationary structural member 36 of the computing unit of a gasoline dispenser or the like. The arm 34 preferably is hollow to provide a conduit for protectively enclosing electrical cable leads 3% leading from a supply source to the switch unit 16.

The computing register 12 may be of any conventional type adapted to be driven in response to the dispensing of fluid. For the purposes of illustration, a register of the rotary type having indicia for indicating the dollars and cents of a gasoline sale through suitable apertures of an escutcheon 40 of a conventional motor-driven gasoline pump has been shown. A rotating drum or cylinder 42 provides integer indicia from 0 to 9, and it is of the type which is rotated in an intermittent manner, moving to the next larger dollar amount following sufficient complete revolutions of the adjacent cylinder and 46. In this way, the cylinder 42 is indexed through an arc of rotation as each new dollar amount is registered. A cam member 48 is carried by the outer face of the dollar amount cylinder 42, and is intermittently rotated with the cylinder during movements from one dollar amount to another. The cam '48 is in alignment with the switch assembly level 3%], which is urged downwardly into engagement therewith as by means of a spring 49, coimected at one end to the control block 352 and at its other end to a fixed mounting El, so as to be moved thereby when the cylinder 2 is rotated.

The stepped contact block 32 may be shifted along the lever arm 30 for selective alignment of a selected step thereon with the plunger 20, by means of a mechanical adjusting assembly, indicated generally at 50. A control panel 52 is mounted in any convenient location on the outer housing of the gasoline dispenser or the like, preferably adjacent to the re-set crank (not shown) of the computer. Three control knobs 54, 56, and 58 extend 1 3 from the panel 52. These knobs are each connected through corresponding flexible sheaths 60, 62, and 64 to a plurality of pull-wires 66, 68, and 70, respectively,

The switch housing 14 is provided with a downwardly rearwardly projecting bracket 72 upon which is mounted, as at 74, a bell-crank lever 76. The upwardly extending arm 78 of said lever is provided with spaced freely ro tatable mounting studs 80, 82, and 84 to receive freely the ends of the pull-wires 66, 68 and 70, respectively. The pull-wires extend rcarwardly beyond the studs and are provided with stops on their ends to limit their move ment relative to said studs. A clamp bracket 86, mounted on a side wall of the housing, secures the ends of the pull-wire sheaths 6t}, 62, and 64 against displacement and insures positioning of the pull-Wires relative to the lever arm 78. The other lever arm 88 is connected by a link 90 with the stepped control block 32.

As shown, the pull-wires 66, 68, and 70 are of different lengths so that full manual pull-out of a corresponding control knob 54, 56, or 58 will cause rocking of the bellcrank lever 76 different distances as determined by the length of the pull-wires 66, 68, and 70. By fully pulling out any one of the control knobs 54, 56, or 58, the stepped control block 32 may be selectively adjusted along the lever arm 3%) so as to permit dispensing of different amounts of gasoline. preferably is offset downwardly as shown in FIGURE 1, at a, so as to provide friction within the respective sheaths for maintaining adjustment and further to present positive stop shoulders to abut the ends of the respective sheaths when the respective knobs are pulled outwardly.

More particularly, the control blocs 32 is provided with a series of stepped top surfaces 92, 94, and 96, and, if desired, each surface may carry adjustable studs or screws and lock nuts 98, I00, and 102, respectively, for a purpose to be made apparent presently.

FIGURE illustrates a slightly modified control structure wherein the control knobs 54, 56, and 58 and their pull-wires are eliminated. In their place, an extension 104 is attached to the bell-crank lever '76, and it extends to the outside of the dispensing apparatus and carries an indexing handle 166 movable with the extension into selected positions indicated by the stations 108 for adjusting the control block 32.

Operation In operation, an attendant will pull out the appropriate control knob at the start of a dispensing operation in the instance of controlled delivery. When a dollar amount of gasoline is to be dispensed, the control knob 54 is pulled outwardly. This moves the switch control block 52 into the position illustrated in FIGURE 1. During the dispensing operation, the computing cylinder 42 will rotate a distance sufficiently to carry the l indicia thereon into register with the opening in the escutcheon 46. At this time the cam 48 on said cylinder will have elevated the lever arm 36 sufficiently to carry the switch control block stud 98 into abutment with the plunger 20 to thereby actuate the switch 16 and stop the dispensing operation. Pm-adjustment of the stud 9'8 insures accuracy in the dispensing operation. When the knob 54 is returned to its original position the control block returns to its initial position by reason of the spring 4?.

In order to obtain a two dollar amount of gasoline, the pull-knob 56 is withdrawn so as to locate the switch control block stud 1% in register with the plunger 26, as shown in FIGURE 2. The computing cylinder 42 must then rotate until the 2 indicia thereon registers with the escutcheon opening, at which time the cam 48 thereon Will have carried the stud Kilt) into abutment with the plunger 24), as shown in FIGURE 3, and actuated the switch.

When a three dollar amount of gasoline is to be dispensed, the pull-knob 58 is withdrawn. This slides the switch control block into a position to align its lower- Each pull-wire 66, 68, and 70.

most stud 102 with the plunger 20 and the cylinder 42 must then rotate a greater distance than before during the dispensing operation, so as to carry the 3 indicia into register with the escutcheon opening and thereby elevate the cam 48 through a greater arc, so as to carry the stud 102 into switch actuating abutment with plunger 29.

In order to dispense under complete manual control, the switch control block 32 is left in the ineffective position illustrated in FIGURE 4. The computing cylinder 50 may now rotate any number of times while dispensing, without the cam becoming effective to raise the lever arm 30 a distance sufiicient to contact and actuate the plunger 20.

While there has been shown and described particular embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and other modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirint of the invention, and, therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the claims.

I, therefore, claim:

1. In combination with a computing register of the type having an intermittently rotated numeral bearing cylinder, an automatic electric control comprising a switch having contact means, means mounting said switch closely adjacent to and above said computing register cylinder, a switch actuator operably associated with the computing register cylinder and normally positioned a predetermined distance from the switch contact means, an adjustable element including a plurality of switch engaging means on said switch actuator, said switch engaging means each being spaced different predetermined distances from the switch contact means, manual means including a plurality of pull-wires each adapted when manually actuated to move said adjustable element for locating a selected one of said switch engaging means for cooperating engagement with the switch contact means, and cam means carried by said cylinder and effective when the cylinder is rotated to a predetermined position to engage and move the switch actuator for carrying the element thereon into cooperating engagement with the switch contact means so as to actuate the same for effecting a control operation.

2. In combination with a computing register of the type having an intermittently rotated numeral bearing cylinder, an automatic electric control comprising, a switch having contact means, means mounting said switch closely adjacent to said computing register cylinder, a switch actuator operably associated with the computing register cylinder and normally positioned a predetermined distance from the switch contact means, an adjustable element including a plurality of switch engaging means on said switch actuator, said switch engaging means each being spaced different predetermined distances from the switch contact means, manual means including a plurality of pull-wires each adapted when manually adjusted to move said adjustable element for locating a selected one of said switch engaging means for cooperating engagement with the switch contact means, and cam means carried by said cylinder and effective when the cylinder is rotated to a predetermined position to engage and move the switch actuator for carrying the element thereon into cooperating engagement with the switch contact means so as to actuate the same and operate the switch. f l

3. In combination with a computing register of the type having an intermittently rotated numeral bearing cylinder, an automatic electric control comprising a switch having contact means, means mounting said switch above said computing register cylinder, a switch actuator operably associated with the computing register cylinder and normally positioned a predetermined distance from the switch contact means, an adjustable element including a assensc plurality of switch engaging means on said switch actuator, said switch engaging means each being spaced different predetermined distances from the switch contact means, manual means selectively operable to move said adjustable element for locating a selected one of said switch engaging means for cooperating engagement with the switch contact means, and cam means carried by said cylinder and effective when the cylinder is rotated to a predetermined position to engage and move the switch actuator for carrying the element thereon into cooperating engagement with the switch contact means so as to actuate the same for effecting a control operation.

4. In combination with a computing register of the type having an intermittently operated numeral wheel, an automatic electric control comprising a switch having contact means, means mounting said switch adjacent to said register, a switch actuator operably associated with the register, an adjustable element including a plurality of switch engaging means on said switch actuator, said switch engaging means each being spaced different predetermined distances from the switch contact means, manual means selectively operable to move said ad justable element for locating a selected one of said switch engaging means for cooperating engagement with the switch contact means, and means carried by said numeral wheel and efiective when moved to a predetermined position when the register is operated to engage and move the switch actuator for carrying the element thereon into cooperating engagement with the switch contact means so as to actuate the same for effecting a control operation.

5. In combination with a computing register of the type having an intermittently operated numeral bearing element, an automatic electrical control comprising a housing arranged closely adjacent to said element, a switch in said housing, a switch actuating member extending to the outside of said housing, means to retain said switch closed normally, a switch actuator operably associated with the driven element, a member having stepped switch actuating member engaging surfaced moveable on said switch actuator, said switch actuating member engaging surfaces each being spaced different predetermined distances from the switch actuating member, means including a plurality of control members operably connected to said movable member, said control members being selectively operable to locate a selected one of said surfaces in cooperative relationship with the switch actuating member, and means on said numeral bearing element effective when said numeral hearing element is operated to a predetermined position to engage and move the switch actuator for carrying the selected surface into cooperative engagement with the switch actuating member so as to operate the switch and effect a control operation.

6. In combination with a computing register of the type having an intermittently operated numeral bearing element, an automatic electrical control comprising a housing, a switch in said housing, a switch actuating member extending to the outside of said housing, means to retain said switch closed normally, a switch actuator operably associated with the numeral bearing element, a member having stepped switch actuating member engaging surfaces movable on said switch actuator, said switch actuating member engaging surfaces each being spaced different predetermined distances from the switch actuating member, means including a plurality of con trol members operably connected to said movable memher, said control members being selectively operable to locate a selected one of said surfaces in cooperative relationship with the switch actuating member, and means on said numeral bearing element effective when said numeral bearing element is operated to a predetermined position to engage and move the switch actuator for carrying the selected surface into cooperative engage ment with the switch actuating member so as to opcrate the switch and effect a control operation.

7. In combination with a computing register of the type having an intermittently operated numeral bearing element, an automatic electrical control comprising a switch, a switch actuating member, means to retain said switch closed normally, a switch actuator operably associated with the numeral bearing element, a member having stepped switch actuating member engaging surfaces movable on said switch actuator, said switch actuating member engaging surfaces each being spaced different predetermined distances from the switch actuating member, means including a plurality of control members 0perably connected to said movable member, said control members being selectively operable to locate a selected one of said surfaces in cooperative relationship with the switch actuating member, and means on said numeral bearing element effective when said numeral bearing element is operated to a predetermined position to engage and move the switch actuator for carrying the selected surface into cooperative engagement with the switch actuating member so as to operate the switch and effect a control operation.

8. In combination with a computing register of the type having an intermittently operated numeral bearing element, an automatic electrical control comprising a switch arranged closely adjacent to said numeral bearing element, a switch actuating member, a switch actuator lever arm operably associated with the numeral bearing element, a member having stepped switch actuating member engaging surfaces movable along said switch actuator lever arm, said switch actuating member engaging surfaces each being spaced different predetermined distances from the switch actuating member, means including a plurality of control members operably connected to said movable member, said control members being selectively operable to locate a selected one of said surfaces in cooperative relationship with the switch actuating member, and means on said numeral bearing element effective when said driven element is operated to a predetermined position to engage and move the switch actuator lever arm for carrying the selected surface into cooperative engagement with the switch actuating member so as to operate the switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,170,157 Huebner Feb. 1, 1916 1,600,991 Neidich Sept. 28, 1926 1,996,994 Witter Apr. 9, 1935 2,153,160 Seemel Apr. 4, 1939 2,159,314 Bliss May 23, 1939 2,180,821 Ginnel Nov. 21, 1939 2,617,558 Ross Nov. 11, 1952 

